Balotelli tops AP rankings after 1st Milan game

LONDON (AP) -Back in Italy after a turbulent period in England, Mario Balotelli has been voted player of the week in the Associated Press global football rankings for scoring twice in his first game for AC Milan.

Balotelli was the clear winner with 181 points from AP's panel of 22 global football journalists, 64 points ahead of another player who moved in the January transfer window, Frenchman Moussa Sissoko, who scored twice on his debut for Newcastle against Chelsea.

Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich tops the team rankings as it continues to show total domination of the German league, with English Premier League leader Manchester United in second place.

Usual AP rankings leaders Barcelona and Lionel Messi were punished for average performances in Spain.